V-me Makes MIPTV Debut Selling More Than 100 Hours of Original Programming

NEW YORK & CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--V-me, a new national Spanish-language network created in partnership with public television, arrives for the first time at MIPTV with more than 100 hours of original lifestyle, factual and public affairs programs -- Aire Yoga, The Science of the NewsHour, Viva Voz and La Plaza.

“V-me arrives at MIPTV just six weeks after its on-air debut to launch the broadcast sale and global expansion of four original series”

V-me which began airing March 5, brings a contemporary voice to Spanish-language television that has been recognized by media around the globe. The network has acquired programming and forged exclusive co-production alliances with world-class international entities. V-me executives will be at MIPTV aggressively seeking additional co-production partnerships to add to V-me’s fast-growing production slate. The network will also be acquiring programming in its core genres – kids, lifestyle, factual and movies/entertainment with a specific interest in lifestyle, home design, Latin American film, music and cultural specials.

“V-me arrives at MIPTV just six weeks after its on-air debut to launch the broadcast sale and global expansion of four original series,” said Carmen DiRienzo, president, V-me. “For these series and much of our programming we have forged solid co-production alliances with world-class media partners. We will be at MIPTV aggressively seeking additional partnerships with creative and innovative companies that can work with us to develop additional high-quality, original Spanish-language programming.”

Aire Yoga part of V-me’s lifestyle programming, is shot in high-definition and wide screen format by Plural Entertainment. This V-me original production focuses on wellness as well as fitness, helping viewers start their day with energy, harmony and balance. Popular actress and dedicated yoga practitioner, Anna Silvetti provides instruction and techniques for basic, intermediate and advanced levels. Aire Yoga licensing and merchandising rights available.

The Science of the News Hour, is designed to meet the demands of the Latino audience for fast-paced, relevant information. In this program the science and technology segments from The NewsHour, the award-winning PBS news flagship are completely repackaged and shot on location in Miami, providing a refreshing approach and new context for the Latino audience. The show features emerging research and discoveries in space, the environment, the human body and brain and other areas of science and technology as well as interviews with the scientists behind the discoveries. The Science of the News Hour is hosted by the Emmy-award-winning, Rafael Pi Roman that anchor of Thirteen/WNET’s nightly news. Pi Roman has also been an anchor and producer of WNBC-TV’s VISIONES, a public affairs program for New York Latinos.

Viva Voz, a V-me original interview program, features a variety of hosts, newsmakers and celebrities who engage in freewheeling discussions about public affairs and social issues affecting society, with a special focus on Latinos. Reflecting the diversity of Latin culture, the hosts of Viva Voz have different areas of expertise and different countries of origin. They include the award-winning Uruguayan-born journalist Jorge Gestoso, the Mexican author/interviewer Leon Krauze, and the Emmy-award winning television journalist Rafael Pi Roman, a native of Cuba.

Viva Voz is a destination for anyone who needs to speak to or listen to America’s Latino community. The show’s guest list is as varied as its host team, ranging from the Oscar-nominated actress Adriana Barraza to Secretary General of the Organization of American States Jose Miguel Insulza; from the legendary norteño group Los Tigres del Norte to Rosita, the Latino Muppet on Sesame Street; from the Salsa star India to a roundtable discussion on the future of Cuba.

La Plaza is a co-production with WGBH/Boston and hosted by the celebrated journalist and author, Maria Hinojosa. Just as the plaza is the physical and cultural center of a Latin American town, La Plaza is a television meeting place for people, ideas and activities. V-me’s program captures the culture and concerns of Latinos and offers viewers a vista into the Latino community with provocative, in-depth interviews with America’s foremost Latino artists, writers, activists and civic leaders such as Luis Rodriguez, Mari Carmen Ramirez and Raquel Rivera.

The MIPTV trade show will be at the Palais Des Festivals in Cannes, France, from April 16-20, 2007. V-me executives will be available in the WNET/WLIW/V-me booth (14.27), the Plural Entertainment booth (13.25) and the WGBH International/PBS booth (14.16).

About V-me

V-me is a new national network partnered with Public TV, that entertains and educates America’s Latino families in Spanish with a lively mix of original and exclusive programs : Kids, Lifestyle, nature, science, history, current affairs, music, arts, and nightly movies. The 24-hour digital broadcast network is presented by public television stations and carried on basic digital cable and satellite. V-me is the first venture announced by newly formed media production and distribution company, V-me Media Inc. To find out more visit www.V-me.tv.

About V-me Media, Inc.

V-me Media, Inc. is a media company formed to create and distribute the best quality content for Hispanics in the U.S. and internationally. The company is a partnership of PBS flagship, Thirteen/WNET New York, and private investors, led by The Baeza Group and including Syncom Funds, both of which specialize in investing in media companies to reach underserved markets.